LAS VEGAS -- Just east of The Strip are about a bazillion hotels that bill themselves as all-suite joints.

Most are not much more than oversized single rooms, often for prices that aren't much less expensive than what you'll pay for a regular hotel room right on the Strip. I generally don't encourage people to stay in these types of hotels simply because they can do so anywhere in the world and this is Vegas, baby! Why waste it on a bland, cookie-cutter, corporate chain with no casino or roller coaster?

The Tuscany Suites on Flamingo Road made me change my mind a little about that.

This 700-room hotel is located about a mile east of Bally's and Bellagio, within walking distance of Terrible's and Lawry's Prime Rib, if that means anything to you.

Although it doesn't have a roller coaster, it does have a casino -- almost 60,000 square-feet of the latest coinless slots, table games, a bar, a 24-hour cafe, and a lounge. That alone sets this hotel apart from all of the other suite properties in the neighborhood, most of which don't have any casino at all. Future expansion will add a food court and a possibly a seafood restaurant.

The casino itself is separated from the rest of the property by an enclosed walkway, so if you are averse to being around slot machines ... why are you coming to Vegas? I suppose it's a good option for families so they can keep the kidlets away from the evils of gambling.

The lobby area is a lovely stone-and-tile affair with some plush seating and a fireplace, plus a lounge and bar and an upscale Italian joint called Palazzo. I think this area offers the perfect level of comfort and luxury without being pretentious like so many others are.

The hotel rooms themselves are in 15 separate three-story buildings, with lovely landscaped grounds and walkways between them. Each room comes with either two queen- or one king-size beds, a sitting area with a sofa (convertible on request), a working desk, a dining area with full-size table, and a kitchenette with a sink, coffee maker, and mini-fridge. Some even have small stove tops.

There are also large televisions with in-room movies and Nintendo-style games, data ports on the phones, safes, and irons and boards.

The bathrooms are large, with separate tubs and showers, hair dryers, and plenty of vanity space to spread out your hair-care products.

I still whine about one large room being referred to as a suite, but that's just being picky. They are big enough to qualify for suite status if all you care about is floor space, but it is important to note that there isn't a separate bedroom to lock yourself in while the kids are playing Road Rage 3 on the Nintendo.

And they are quite nice, will very well-tended furnishings, carpet, draperies, and the like. That seems to apply to the entire property, which struck me as being very spiffy everywhere I looked.

For those interested in soaking up some sun, there is a large pool with a separate whirlpool and shallow kiddie pool. That last amenity is worth noting if you're one of the types who prefers not to stay in a place that caters to families with children.

The service was exceptional throughout, from my guide to the casino personnel and even the security guard who offered to go flag someone down on the other side of the casino. The hotel is affiliated with the Best Western chain, so that comes with a bit of corporate oversight that can be helpful, plus you can use your Best Western reward points here if you have them.

There are a couple of other small casinos nearby and a ton of great restaurants including the aforementioned Lawry's, Mortons of Chicago, Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, and Hamada of Japan. The Strip is about a mile away, which seems a lot further than it probably is especially when it's 115 degrees outside. I recommend having a car at your disposal to get the full Vegas effect if you plan to stay here.

Price is also a very strong plus at Tuscany. Thee standard rates for all of the above start at around $69 on weekdays and $89 on weekends. I did a quick cost comparison for a couple of random dates and found it even lower -- at $59 -- for a Tuesday and Wednesday and not bad at $109 for a Friday and Saturday. Those are terrific rates for any Vegas hotel, but especially one with this much to offer.

Tuscany Suites
255 E. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(877) 887-2261

Highs: Nice place, big rooms, inexpensive
Lows: Location not bad but, not the best

Location: 6 -- About a mile from the Strip
Price: 8 -- Can be very inexpensive to stay here
Value: 10 -- Hard to beat what you get for the cost
Rooms: 8 -- Very large and well-tended
Casino: 7 -- Not a lot of energy, but lots of options
Amenities: 9 -- Almost everything you need in your room
Facilities: 6 -- Restaurants, casino, and pool
Service: 9 -- Very friendly
Fun: 7 -- A great bargain can be fun
Bonus: 8 -- A great bargain deserves bonus points

Vegas4Visitors.com Rating: 78

This Week's Trivia

Q: May 14 marks the 48th anniversary of the opening of the Moulin Rouge hotel and casino in Vegas. What was special about that hotel, and what became of it? ANSWER

The Weekly Trivia Question is sponsored by the Online Memorabilia Museum at Vegas4Visitors.com

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